Research problem
Sarcoidosis is one major health problem that needs urgent attention. It is a disease that affects any organ of the body by causing inflammation. The problem occuring with this is the formation of granulomas which occur majorly during the immune reaction against the foreign cells that are causing inflammatory reactions. It is a disease that affects all age group but commoner in men and those between 20-50 age groups (Gibbons, 2013). The problem about this condition is that it may occur without any symptoms.
The commonest symptoms are those results from lung issues such as wheezing, coughing, chest pain, depressed state, weight loss and night sweat. In children may occur with symptoms such as fatigue, loss of apetite, weight loss, bone and joint pain (Gibbons, 2013). This disease usually affects the lung in most individual but other organ involvement is now found to be major consequences of the condition. Another issue is the fact that it affects children and the incidence between those children of 14-15 years of age were found to be 1.02 cases per 100,000 children (Lannuzzi, Rybicki & Teirstein, 2007). Considering this newly found incidence rate among this age group, it is important to find out; why is it affecting children between 14-15 age group more than other?
Current background section
Information available now considers environmental and genetic features as some of the likely etiological factor for sarcoidosis. The environmental consideration was based on the fact that most affected organs are exposed to airbone antigens mostly compared to other major parts of the body. Occupational factors are also considered to be positive among those that are firefighter and metalworkers however it is not fully explanatory.
The genetic causes were considered to be linked with familial occurences. The implication of this is still yet to be fully accepted considering the fact that the condition still occurs most among those with no familial history or environmental exposure.
Refined research question
Finding out what is special or unique about those individual between ages 14-15 that place them at higher risk is a potential pointer towards understanding the etiological factor.
References
Kamangar, N. & Mosenifar, Z. (2013). Practice Essentials. Sarcoidosis. Medscape.
Retrieved 29 October, 2013 from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/301914-overview
Koffel, J. (2011). Understanding Research Study Designs. Bio-medical library.
Retrieved 29 October, 2013 from http://hsl.lib.umn.edu/biomed/help/understanding-research-study-designs
Gibbons, G.H. (2013). Who is at risk for Sarcoidosis? Explore Sarcoidosis. National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute.
Retrieved 28 October, 2013 from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sarc/atrisk.html
Lannuzzi, M.C., Rybicki, B.A., & Teirstein, A.S. (2007). Sarcoidosis. Medical progress. Review Article.
Retrieved 29 October, 2013 from http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra071714
Lavertu, A.E. (2013). Case-Control Study. Study Designs in the Health Sciences. Research Guides.
Retrieved 29 October, 2013 from http://researchguides.library.tufts.edu/content.php?pid=427845
Shiel, C.W. (2013). Sarcoidosis. MedicineNet.
Retrieved 29 October, 2013 from http://www.medicinenet.com/sarcoidosis/article.htm
